Magical Christmas Fairy Cakes
for Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
24th December 2011
Window twenty four is
The Star of Bethlehem
Some recipe classics never go out of fashion and fairy cakes top the list for me. They are the stuff of childhood memories: just one nibble can transport you back in time and even today no self-respecting children’s birthday party would be without them. That said, why should children have all the fun? With just a little tweaking, fairy cakes can be turned into elegant and sophisticated grown-up fare; perfect for a mid-morning coffee break, or tea in the afternoon, or as a packed lunch treat AND for the Christmas tea time table.
The basic recipe is oh-so-simple, so you can keep it plain or indulge yourself with extravagant toppings; for Christmas I have used my snowflake plunger again and made fondant icing snowflakes, before liberally sprinkling with edible sparkles/cake glitter. Some die-hard purists may omit the vanilla extract but I think fairy cakes are better with it added. Prep time includes the time it takes to decorate the fairy cakes. The edible cake sparkles and glitter is available from most good cake decorating & sugar craft shops, or by mail order.
Magical Christmas Fairy Cakes
Ingredients:
CAKES:
125g softened butter
125g caster sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
125g self-raising flour
2 tablespoons milk
ICING:
125g icing sugar
water
vanilla extract (optional)
DECORATIONS:
icing sugar
150 g ready-to-roll fondant
edible glitter ( sparkles)
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Method:
- Makes 24 mini cakes or 12 larger ones.
- For mini cakes you will need a 12 hole tartlet tin (these are 5cm at the rim and 1 1/2 cm deep) and you will need to use it twice, unless you have two. For larger cakes use a 12-hole bun or muffin tin (these are 6 1/2 cm at the rim and 2cm deep). You can use the little paper cases according to the size tin you have – I have suggested silver. If not, butter the base and sides of the holes before filling with the mixture.
- Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas mark 5. Either butter the tin or place the paper cases in the holes (see above). In a mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. You can use an electric whisk or a wooden spoon.
- Add the beaten egg, a little at a time, whisking to incorporate, then beat in the vanilla.
- Sift in half of the flour and fold into the mixture. Add the milk and the rest of the flour and fold until well combined.
- Spoon into the tin and bake for 12 minutes or until risen and golden on top. Allow to cool for ten minutes before removing from the tin. Cool the cakes on a cooling tray/rack.
- Mix a little water to the icing sugar until you have a soft glace icing – add a little vanilla extract if you wish, or other flavourings.
- Spoon the icing over the top of the cooled fairy cakes, allowing the icing to drip down into the cases or over the sides of the cakes.
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Roll out the fondant icing on a board with icing sugar sprinkled over to stop it sticking; press or cut your festive shapes and place one on top of each iced fairy cake. Sprinkle over the edible glitter or sparkles and arrange the fairy cakes on an attractive serving plate.
Merry ChristmasandA Happy New Year
A powerful winter piece by Loreena McKennitt from her last album A Midwinter Night’s Dream.
Before I go, I would like to share my favourite carol with you, by one of my favourite singers, Loreena McKennit.Karen
Baking Addict says
These are very magical indeed! Long live fairy cakes! I love the snowflake toppers especially the glitter. I must get myself a snowflake cutter for next year. Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas x
A Trifle Rushed says
Merry Christmas Karen, best wishes to you and your family. The fairy cakes are lovely, and as I have the snow flake plunger we may make some today, I'll have to see how the day goes. First I have to walk the dog and get one or two last minute things…. Jude x
two hippos says
cute cupcakes!! Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful 2012!
Choclette says
Just lovely Karen – the cakes and the carol. I like LM too. Hope you have a truly magical Christmas.
MissCakeBaker says
Gorgeous fairy cakes! Have a lovely Christmas!
La Table De Nana says
They are beautiful in their silver dresses..Merry Christmas:)
Gardenteacakesandme says
Karen these really look wonderful and where would we be come Christmas time without a snowflake cutter, the silver cases really do add to the icy feel of the cakes. Happy Christmas !
Kentish Keg-Meg says
These cakes do indeed look magical. One of my favourite carols too. Thank you for this festive post. Merry Christmas.
Dom at Belleau Kitchen says
they do look so Christmassy… you've done so well giving us a recipe and advent picture every day, a well deserved Merry Christmas to you and yours this festive Yule… much love from Belleau Cottage xx
Janice says
So pretty, thanks for all your advent posts, they have been beautiful. Time to settle down and enjoy the season, cheers and Merry Christmas!
Annie says
These look delicious as always Karen.
A very Merry Christmas to you and yours x
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
Thanks Karen for such an amazingly festive set of Christmassy posts throughout December, all great and I shall feel quite bereft after tomorrow….
I am off to France , in the Alps so will toast you on New Year's Eve….Bon Anee et Joyeux Noel! Xx
i- lostinausten says
Wow… what lovely cupcakes. Simply divine & soo festive. Bonnes Fêtes de Noël et une Heureuse Année 2012 ^^
Chele says
Those cupcakes really are very sweet looking. I'm sure they got hoovered up quickly (at least they would at my place lol)
Jenny Leonard says
I keep thinking of these cakes now every time I look outside at the snow and ice. They’re so magical and beautiful, with that sens of purity that we have with new fallen snow. Simply gorgeous 🙂
Karen Booth says
Thanks so much for your lovely comments Jenny!
tracy says
These look so perfect, almost too good to eat. I bet they taste as good as they look aswell.
Lese says
I bought one of those snowflake cutters last year but as we went away last Christmas I didn’t have a chance to use them. So I love the way you have used the snowflakes on the Christmas Cake and Fairy Cakes, hopefully I will get a chance to use the cutter this year.